Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: 1 Corinthians 16 and Psalm 119:145-160

¹ Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: do what I told the Galatian churches to do. ² On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

At the time Paul wrote this, he was hard at work helping the Churches throughout Asia Minor to pool together a special offering for him to take to the Church in Jerusalem (which he did in Acts 21 and spoke of in Acts 24:17). The Jerusalem Church had been badly affected by the famine sweeping the region (see Acts 11) and Paul felt moved by the Spirit to organise assistance from the Gentile Churches. His advice to the Corinthians was the same as he had given to the Galatians and is a wonderful guide for Christian giving in general.

Firstly, it tells us that giving is not an optional extra for Christians. The apostle understood that he did not need to tell the Christians that they ought to give, but only to counsel them on how to set money aside for this offering. Their giving was a normal, natural, expected element of being a Christian. It was just that they needed some advice on the practicalities of their giving.

Secondly, it tells us that Christian giving should be systematic and regular (“on the first day of the week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money“). As people working mostly for daily or weekly wages, he advised them to set aside an amount every week, on the Lord’s Day (the first day of the week) when they gathered to worship.

Thirdly, Christian giving should be proportional and “in keeping with your income”. Unfortunately, many Christians tend to set the bar rather low when it comes to giving, and decide what to give based purely on what feels comfortable and affordable, rather than giving sacrificially. It’s inspiring to think how much more will be accomplished for the Kingdom of God when every believer in every local church starts giving proportionally and sacrificially to the extension of that Kingdom on earth.

Life application: Instead of considering affordability first, take time in prayer today to re-evaluate your level of financial giving to the Kingdom (and, by extension, the care of your fellow believers in need) through your local Church. Ask the Lord to convict your heart if you need to increase your giving or perhaps simply to become more steadfast, committed and regular in your generosity.